1 Samuel 1:1-20

 

2 Corinthians 9:2

for I know your eagerness, which is the subject of my boasting about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.

 

John 2:15-17

When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”

 

 

Psalms 69:9

Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, 

And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.

 

Zeal

Meaning

 

• The eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something.

 

• An intense feeling or expression. 

 

• Some common synonyms of zeal are ardor, enthusiasm, fervour and passion. 

 

• While all these words mean "intense emotion compelling action," zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

 

The oil

Meaning. 

• The oil refers to the anointing.

• The oil symbolises the presence of God.

• The oil give us the unction to function.

 

Psalms 23:5

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over. 

 

Psalms 92:10

But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox;

I have been anointed with fresh oil.

 

Exodus 29:7-9

And you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him. Then you shall bring his sons and put tunics on them. And you shall gird them with sashes, Aaron and his sons, and put the hats on them. The priesthood shall be theirs for a perpetual statute. So you shall consecrate Aaron and his sons.

 

Isaiah 61:1

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,

Because the LORD has anointed Me

To preach good tidings to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives,

And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

 

Identify the cause.

 

 

1 Samuel 1:6

And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb.

 

Examine the cause of your zeal.

• Check on what stirs you up to action.

• Check what moves your heart.

• Check what annoys to or make you uncomfortable.

• Examine your intentions and motives.

 

Prayer point.

Let us take time to examine our heart and the intent and motive behind our actions. Let us pray for the people in leadership to be strong and courageous (zealous) to their core purpose.

 

 

 

Psalms 26:2-3

Examine me, O LORD, and prove me;

Try my mind and my heart.

For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,

And I have walked in Your truth.

 

Check your company.

 

1 Samuel 1:9

So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the LORD.

 

• We need to check and examine the company we keep as we seek to pursue the heart of the Father.

• Check to make sure the people around you will help you become what God has purposed for your life. 

 

 

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

 

Proverbs 13:20

He who walks with wise men will be wise,

But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

 

Proverbs 18:24

There are “friends” who destroy each other,

but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

 

Prayer point.

Let us examine the company we keep even as we run with our assignment and calling. Let us always check who we run with to ensure we are accountable and well supported.

 

Fuel the fire on the altar 

 

 

1 Samuel 1:13

Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk

 

Leviticus 6:13

A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.

 

Hebrews 4:16

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

 

• We need to come boldly to the throne to obtain mercy.

• Hannah had the zeal but she new where to take her petition and she prayed earnestly.

 

James 5:16

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

 

Luke 2:19

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

 

Matthew 5:33

“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the LORD.’

 

Prayer Point

Father give us the understanding and the grace to come to your throne to bring our heart to you.

Let us learn humility and vulnerability before the father and others that we may obtain mercy.

 

Curate significant moments.

 

 

1 Samuel 1:18

And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. 

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

 

• We need to understand how we can guard our hearts not to be overwhelmed by situations.

• We need to be intentional and have the right posture of heart before God.

• We need to cultivate significant moment of encounter with the Lord by positioning ourselves.

• Be sensitive on how you conduct yourself during significant moments.

 

Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

 

1 Chronicles 4:10

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

 

Prayer point.

That we may be able to curate moments of encountering God. Be intentional on how you handle significant moments.